Wall bed



E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1946E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED Filed May 16, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1946Dec. 4, 1951 E. E. WOLLER 2,577,223

WALL BED Filed May 16f 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 E. E. WOLLER WALL BED 5Sheets-Sheet 5' Filed May 16, 1946 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATESoer-ice;

2,577,223 WALL BED;

Edward'iEi WolIer, Kenosha, Wis; assignor tf Simmons Company, Kenosha,Wis., wcorpora tion of Delaware' Application May 16,1946;;Serial-;Nov.670,1.67

9"CIaims. (C12 5-'16-0") This 1 invention relates to folding beds; ofthe Y type which are-.adaptedLto/be swungto a vertical positionior.concealment within a wall" recess when not in use. Such structuresusually include al-linkage for. movably, supporting theihead end of-.the,bed withinthe .wallrecess and apair of foldablelegs. for supportingthefoot end of the bed Wh'enit is. loweredinto .theroom.

The main. objects ,of Ithis invention. are to. provide an improvedio'rmofiwall bed which may; be concealed fwithih a walljrecessofjminimumidepth and .whichtis. particularly adap'ted;.for use onrailroad..-P1illinan..cars and on .ships; toiprovide animproved-.linkage. for, movably. supportinggthe lieadend ofjthebedi'within' the wallirecess; to A provid improvediautomaticallyactuated. means for extendingthele'gs when. the bed .is lowered and forioldingtlielegs against .the bedwhenthe bed'is ,raisedlto its concealedposition; to provide an improved j'wall paneliorming a door for dos--20:ing the recess to. conceal'the bedwh'enthe bed (is in'fo'lde'd'position; to provide improved means for attaching the panel "to thebed; to provide improved" counter-balancing means to" facilitate raising;and lowering of the bed; 7 and to "provide 5 a'simple and durable -wallbed of this: type .which will: accommodate: an innerspringg' mattress ofstandard thickness;

An illustrative embodiment, ofxthis invention is shownintheac-companyingdrawings wherein:

Figure '1 "isa fragmentary perspectiveview "of a wall-' and recessshowing the' improved bed in partly lowered position,

Figure zis a view similar to Figured; but-showingvthe bed: lowereditohorizontal. position:

Figure;3;is:-a fragmentary plamview of the inner-side of :theupperpend.oitherwalhpanel showing-the-latch mechanism nfor. lockinglthepanelto the frame of the recess. 7

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly brokenawayzw andpartly insection,.showingthe bedopened to horizontal position.

Figure .5 'is an enlarged detailinsectionoithe counter-balancing meanse.

Figures. 6 7. are enlargedjfragmentary vend? 45:?

elevations. of Ith'e bd,.. taken. from the ile'fti. and right,respectively, of." Figure 4,".sh'0wiiigthe mechanism forautomatically'folding and 'extending the slipporting lgs. v

nects the .panelftothe licadiend of the bedi Figurefi'isanenlargedtransverse.sectionoi the panel latch operating mechanism, the. viewbeing taken on the 1i I.1e.9 -.-9 of Figure; 7

The bed-'--is--suspended; by a pairiioi ishaped links" I3" having theirupper. ends pivotallye secured to -the-=recessframei byipivotsnl 4:engaging 5101334 5 inthe frame-. Th'efilower;.forwardiyzprojecti-rigends of= 'the-..1inks. l 315 are :pivotallyzconnested-"to the-bedirame-by pins liiiwhichxengage Figuretliisl. anemargedffr'agmentary.side file-50..

. vation'jof the b'tedQjshbwing the linkage whioh conplates 1 l''extendingxbetween dhelmemhers 9:?and l D-0fthe frame 13 V 7 When the.bed isin'xopempositione as ishowneln Figures =2 and; 4; the-router.endthereof 1" i ;v supoorted 'on atpa votkfoldable; 1685il 8' which; arepivotallysecured tmtheir'amei member 10 byepins l9;

The automati'c'z actuating smeciiamismi iforcthe legsincludesa pair ofilongitudinally? extending rods zil rotatably supported .insthe'framezmember IMatvrespectively. oppositezsideszthereotz Rigidly ends of;which rare; pivotallmsecured tosthedegfiwla by shortvlinkse22wherebygtheslegszmaya, be folded and extended bythezzrotationiofithesrods.

Pt-ot'ationcotithe rotds- ZHeiSxefieotedsby theeIIlechanism lustratedsins-Figure. 6.,2 Thenrea'ri: end of eacha nthesrodesZ flx-ha-scflxed'.the-reonzan arm 23 pivotallycJcQnnectedgtma link Zita-Which in turniemivotadlyiiconnected to ailever 2.5:Which isipivotally z'supportedaontemplates- 2sects-themed frame. 'Ilhezouter ;end:of theelever;25:.coaotsnWitli aistop 27 on the recess frame 2 so that, whenthe-sinner endn'ofrthei be"d..-:movessupward"l3c:duringsthe:bedopeningaoperation; .the- -1ink:;2fl moves-downwardly to rotaterithezarm; 23 :andlits --rod-=.2 ilntherebmcausing thenar-m: 2 l at theforward end ofnthezromto unfold the leg 5| aloutwardlm-andndownwardlyinto bed supporting position. Connected to-the legs i {Landtha framemember I fl arasprings. 28.which he end of the bed moves downwardly soas to swing the links 25 away from the stop 21 to permit the springs 28to retract the legs 18.

To facilitate movement of the bed to its closed and open positions, thestructure includes the counter-balancing mechanism illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This mechanism includes a hOllzontal shaft 29 whichextends through the rear tube 39 of the bed frame member 9. The shaft 29is journalled in ball bearings 3| supported in journal boxes 32 whichare secured to the ends of the tube 39 by clamping rings 33. The journalboxes 32 and rings 33 are clamped together by screws 33a. Mounted on theshaft 29 is a series of short sleeves 34 embraced by a helical spring35. One end of this spring is anchored to one of the journal boxes 32and the other end thereof is secured to a sleeve 36 which is fixed onthe shaft 29.

Fixed on the ends of the shaft 29 are pinions 31, which mesh withvertically disposed racks 38 mounted on respectively opposite sides ofthe recess frame 2 so that, when the bed is raised and lowered, theshaft 29 is rotated. The arrange- .ment is such that, when the bed isopened, the head end rises so as to rotate the shaft 29 in a directionwhich will contract the spring 35 and therefore the spring, having atendency to unwind, will assist in raising the bed to the verticalposition.

Also mounted on the ends of the shaft 29 are discs 39 which ride betweena pair of spaced guide rails 4|], 4| for securing the pinions 31 inoperative engagement with the racks 38.

To prevent the bed sheets from becoming entangled in the mechanism inthe space behind the bed frame, a thin sheet metal cover plate 42overlies the tube 30. Its rear edge is fixed on a rod 43 which isrotatably supported in the side members of the recess frame 2. Fixed onthe rod 43 are arms 44 which are pivotally connected to the lower endsof vertical links 45. The upper ends of these links 45 are'connected toplates 46 which are pivotally supported on pins 41. A link 4Boperatively connects each of the plates 46 with the adjacent L-shapedsupporting link l3 so that,

*when the link l3 moves rearwardly as the bed is raised to verticalposition, the link 451s lifted so as to swing the cover plate 42rearwardly in contact with the face of the mattress.

' 'When the bed is folded to vertical position, it

is concealed within the wall recess by an improved door panel 49 whichis sufficiently large to completely fill the opening. In order to permitfolding and unfolding of the legs 18, it is necessary to support thepanel by means which will permit a longitudinal shifting of the panelrelative to the bed frame. This is accomplished by apair of links 50,located at each side of the 'bed for pivotally connecting the panel tothe I frame member ID. Longitudinal shifting of the panel is effected bythe links l3 which are operatively connected to the links 5| by links 52having slots 53 for receiving pins 54 on the supporting links l3.

The construction is such that, in lowering the bed to horizontalposition, the pins 54 engage the links 52 at the lower ends of the slots53 for shifting the panel rearwardly so as to permit unfolding of thelegs I8. In raising the bed to its concealed position, the pins 54 liftthe links 52 and 1 5| so as to shift the panel upwardly for completelyclosing the wall recess. In this manner, the panel is shifted positivelyin either direction 4 by the link '52, although it will be understoodthat by properly positioning the links 50 and 5! on the frame member ID,the panel 49 may be shifted suificiently rearwardly by the force ofgravity alone to clear the legs l8, in which case, the link 52 mayfunction merely to lift the panel into recess-closing position as thebed is stowed.

Formed on the links 5| are rearwardly projecting shoulders 55 which areadapted to engage lugs 56 on the frame member I!) for securing the panelagainst any swinging action when the bed is open.

Mounted on the inner face of the door panel, is a locking mechanismcomprising a pair of latch bolts 57 slidably mounted in guides 58 andadapted for engagement with keepers 59 at the sides of the recess frame2. The latch bolts are retracted by a pair of links 69 pivotallyconnected to a rotary disc 6| having a square shaft 62 which isrotatably mounted in a bearing 63 supported in a boss 64 0n a cup-shapedmember 65 which is seated in an opening 66 of the panel. The shaft 62 isrotated for retracting by latch bolts by means of a handle 6i having ahub 68 provided with a square opening 99 for receiving the shaft 62.Located Within the hub 68 is a helical spring Hi which bears between theinner end of the hub and a headed screw H on the outer end of the shaftso as to normally hold the handle 6'! within the cup 65. The shaft 62 issecured against accidental turning by means of a pin 12 projecting fromthe hub 68 into a recess 73 of the .boss 54. To open the panel door 49,the handle 51 is pulled outwardly against the action of the spring l5until the pin l2 has been withdrawn from the recess T3, whereupon thehandle may be turned for retracting the latch bolts 51.

When the latch bolts 51 are retracted, the bed may be lowered to thehorizontal position. During the lowering of the bed, the links 13, 52and 5i shift the panel 49 rearwardly and the legs l8 are extended by therotation of the rods 20 through the action of the members 23, 24, 25,and

F 21. 'Also, during the lowering of the bed to horizontal position, thepinions 3'1 riding on the racks 38 Wind the helical spring 35 so as tocounterbalance the weight of the bed to facilitate closing of the bed.

To close the bed, its foot end is raised thereby automatically foldingthe legs l8 and raising the panel 49 into position to completely coverthe wall recess for concealing the bed.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been hereinshown and described, it will be understood that details of the construc--tion shown may be altered without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening, a bedframe, mounting means for supporting one end of said frame on avertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby said frame may beshifted to a vertical position within said cabinet or extended throughsaid opening to horizontal bed position, a pair of foldable legs hingedon the outer end of said frame on, axes disposed longitudinally of saidframe, a pair of rotatable rods extending longitudinally of said frameand operatively connected to said legs, and means actuated through themovement of said frame for rotating said rods to fold and extend saidlegs.

2. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet 5, havingan opening, a bed"framejmounting means fi' supportingone entll'of said frame-on avertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby saidgframegmaygbegshifatedato a vertical position'within said cabinet or extendedthrough saidopening to horizontal-bedposition, a" pair of fl'dableglegs'hinged on""th'e*ou-ter end 1 of said frame on; axes disposedlongitudinally of said framewlfereby' said legs 'arefswingable; in iaverti'cal plane transverse to said iframe, automatical- 1y; actuatedmeans for foldingand extending :said legs through themovementjof-saidframe;1aEnd af door; panel carried by-said frame andjlnovable 'tli'erebyinto position to" cloes. said opening for concealing said "frame and'legsflwhen the ,bed; is disposedfvertically within saidcabinetsaidpanel being shiftable longitudinally relative" tosaid frameto uncover said legsllwhen said frame is moved to horizontal position.

3: A bed comprising a vertical wall.- cabinet having an opening, a bedframe, mounting means for pivotally supporting one end of saidframewithin said cabinet whereby said frame may be shifted from a verticalposition within said cabinet through said opening to a horizontallyextended bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of saidframe, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame ishorizontally extended and movable therewith into position to close saidopenin for concealing said frame and leg when said frame is disposedvertically within said cabinet, links suspending said panel from saidframe whereby said panel is shiftable lonigtudinally of said frame topermit the unfolding of said leg when said frame is horizontallyextended, through the movement of said frame from said vertical positionto said horizontally extended position for shifting said panel touncover said leg to permit its unfolding, said last-mentioned meansbeing operable by the shifting of said frame from said horizontallyextended position to said vertical position to shift said panel into aposition to cover said frame and leg and close said opening.

4. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening forstowing a bed frame in vertically disposed position, a verticallydisposed guideway in said cabinet opening having a ear rack along oneface thereof, a bed frame, a pair of links supporting said bed frame onsaid cabinet to permit a 90-degree swinging of said frame between saidvertically-disposed stowed position and a horizontally-extended openposition, a shaft journaled on the inner end of said frame and mountinga gear meshing with said rack to traverse the length thereof during the90-degree swinging of said bed frame, and a torsion spring embracingsaid shaft and having its opposite ends anchored respectively to saidshaft and said frame whereby the travel of said gear upwardly along saidrack tensions said spring so as to counterbalance the weight of saidframe moving toward its horizontally-disposed position.

5. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening, a bedframe, mounting means for supporting one end of said frame on avertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby said frame may beshifted to -a vertical position within said cabinet or extended throughsaid opening to horizontal bed position, a'pair of foldable legs hingedon the outer end of said frame on axes disposed longitudinally of saidframe whereby said legs are swingable in a vertical plane transverse tosaid frame, automaticaland means actuated war-mate's meansforfoldingsandi extending said lgsthroug-lf the movement tof fsaidframep a? door panel carriedby said I frame; 1 means connectingsaidfpanelto said -mounting means so -as:zto;be actuatedf bythe-swinging of said frame to autoniatically-effect the oppositesl'iiftingof said panel longitudinally of said frametoremove said panelfrom thepath'of said legs and'thereby permit tha -transverse verticalmovem-ent of said legs .as

10 said frame moves -into and out of its :horizontal bed position.

6'5 A1 bed comprising a: verticalwall cabinet having an opening for:stowing a bed frame in vertically disposed position,ave'rticallydisposed is guideway-in said cabinet opening-a bed frame,guide' -mea-ns -on said frame confined for vertical movement in saidguideway, a pair of links suspending -=said bed frame from said cabinetto permit a lo-degree swinging of said frame between itsvertically-disposed stowed position and a horizontally-extended openposition, said" links having their upper ends fulcrumed within saidcabinet openingand 'their lower ends pivoted to said frame forwardly ofthe inner end thereof a distance approximating the vertical travel ofsaid guide means in said guideway, legs mounted at the outer end of saidframe and shiftable into and out of position to support the outer end ofsaid frame in its horizontally-disposed position, a door panel forclosing the opening in said cabinet, a plurality of links suspendingsaid door panel on said frame to permit a shifting of said panellongitudinally of said frame, and a link lever connecting said framesuspension links with one of said door panel suspension links wherebythe swinging of said frame on its suspension links automatically effectsa shifting of said door panel longitudinally of said frame to uncoversaid legs when said frame is in its horizontal position.

7. A concealed bed arrangement comprising a bed bottom unit adapted tobe pivotally supported at one of its ends in a wall recess and shiftablefrom a vertical position in said recess to a horizontally extended bedposition, said bed bottom unit including a mattress-supporting frame, afolding leg hinged to the outer end of said frame, and a closure panelfor concealing said frame and leg in said recess, said panel and framebeing relatively shiftable to uncover said leg when the unit is inhorizontal position whereby said leg may be unfolded, and means operableby the shifting of said unit from said horizontally extended positioninto said recess to effect relative longitudinal movement of said paneland frame, into a position to cover said frame and leg and close saidrecess.

8. A concealed bed arrangement comprising a mattress supporting frameadapted to be pivotally supported at one of its ends in a wall recessand shiftable from a vertical position in said recess to a horizontallyextended bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of saidframe, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame ishorizontally extended and 5 movable therewith into position to closesaid recess for concealing said frame and leg when said frame occupiessaid vertical position, links suspending said panel from said framewhereby said panel is shiftable relative to said frame to uncover saidleg when said panel is horizontally extended whereby said leg may beunfolded, and means operable by the shifting of said frame from saidhorizontally extended position into said recess to shift said panelrelative to said frame to cover said frame and leg and close saidrecess,

shiftable from a vertical position within said re- 5 cess to ahorizontal bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of saidframe, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame ishorizontally extended and movable therewith into position to close saidrecess for concealing said frame and leg when said frame occupies saidvertical position, links suspending said panel from said frame wherebysaid panel is shiftable relative to said frame toward said recess touncover said leg when said frame is horizontally extended whereby saidleg may be unfolded, and a connection between at least one of said linksand said mounting means whereby the movement of said frame from itshorizontal position into said recess is effective to shift said panelrelative to said frame thereby to cover said frame and leg and to closesaid recess.

EDWARD E. WOLLER.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 458,089 Zimmerman Aug. 18, 1891464,047 Sterenson Dec. 1, 1891 763,358 Brandt June 28, 1904 778,539Hamilton Dec. 27, 1904 958,682 Tandy May 17, 1910 1,001,214 MulvaneyAug. 22, 1911 1,064,858 Rundel June 17, 1913 1,100,757 Manz June 23,1914 1,189,342 Bell July 4, 1916 1,542,766 Hall June 16, 1925 1,723,649Heath Aug. 6, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number a Country Date 43,825 DenmarkJan. 9, 1931 2,258 Great Britatin of 1905

